How to Select the Right Sonogram Tech Training Program near Downingtown Pennsylvania
Now that you have decided to pursue an ultrasound technician degree near Downingtown PA, it’s time to start the procedure of choosing a school. First, you have to find the right program that will furnish the necessary education to become a qualified professional. And given that a number of states do mandate that ultrasound techs be either certified or licensed, depending on your residence you may also need to be prepared to pass a certification or licensing examination. So it’s extremely important that you investigate each college so that you can evaluate and compare your options. But exactly where does one begin? Most prospective students will begin by looking for schools that are within travelling distance of their residences and then by comparing tuition. Certainly location and cost must be considered when arriving at a decision, but there are other significant factors as well. Such as, if the ultrasound technician schools are accredited or if they offer internships. These and other qualifications will be discussed more in depth later in this article. But first, let’s discuss what a sonogram tech does and the credentials and online education options that are available.
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Ultrasound Tech Job Description
There are various professional titles for ultrasound techs (technicians). They are also called ultrasound technologists, sonogram techs, and diagnostic medical sonographers (or just sonographers). Regardless of name, they all have the same primary job function, which is to perform diagnostic ultrasound testing on patients. While many work as generalists there are specializations within the profession, for example in cardiology and pediatrics. Most work in Downingtown PA clinics, hospitals, outpatient diagnostic imaging centers and even private practices. Standard daily job duties of a sonogram tech can include:
- Keeping records of patient case histories and specifics of each procedure
- Counseling patients by explaining the procedures and answering questions
- Preparing the ultrasound machines for testing and then sterilizing and recalibrating them
- Transferring patients to treatment rooms and ensuring their comfort
- Utilizing equipment while limiting patient exposure to sound waves
- Assessing results and determining necessity for additional testing
Ultrasound techs must routinely gauge the performance and safety of their equipment. They also are held to a high ethical standard and code of conduct as health practitioners. In order to maintain that level of professionalism and stay up to date with medical knowledge, they are mandated to enroll in continuing education courses on a regular basis.
Ultrasound Tech Degrees Offered
Sonogram technician students have the choice to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree will typically involve about 18 months to 2 years to complete based upon the course load and program. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at as long as four years to finish. Another alternative for individuals who have already received a college degree is a post graduate certificate program. If you have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in any major or an Associate Degree in a relevant health field, you can instead choose a certificate program that will require only 12 to 18 months to complete. Something to bear in mind is that almost all ultrasound technician colleges do have a clinical training element as a portion of their curriculum. It can often be satisfied by taking part in an internship program which numerous schools sponsor with Downingtown PA clinics and hospitals. After you have graduated from any of the certificate or degree programs, you will then have to fulfill the certification or licensing prerequisites in Pennsylvania or whichever state you decide to practice in.
Online Ultrasound Technician Degrees
As previously mentioned, nearly all ultrasound tech colleges have a practical component to their programs. So while you can obtain a degree or certificate online, a significant portion of the training will be either carried out in an on campus laboratory or at a sponsored off campus medical care provider. Practical training can often be fulfilled by means of an internship at a local Downingtown PA hospital, outpatient clinic or private practice. However the rest of the classes and training may be attended online in your Downingtown home. This is especially convenient for those students that continue working while getting their degrees. Plus online schools are often more affordable than on campus options. Expenses for commuting and study materials may be lessened as well. But similarly as with any sonography school you are looking at, confirm that the online school you enroll in is accredited. Among the most highly respected accrediting organizations is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Accreditation is especially crucial for licensing, certification and job placement (more on accreditation later). So if you are dedicated enough to attend classes away from the classroom in the convenience of your own home, then an online degree could be the ideal option for you.
Subjects to Ask Ultrasound Technician Programs
When you have determined which certificate or degree that you would like to earn, you can initiate the process of reviewing and comparing ultrasound tech colleges. You may first want to decide whether you would rather access classes online or travel to a school campus in the Downingtown PA area. Certainly location will be critical if you decide on the latter, and the price of tuition undoubtedly will be an important qualification as well. But there are other things that you must also take into account, for instance if the programs are accredited and if they provide internships. So in order to perform your due diligence so that you can arrive at your ultimate selection, below are several questions that you may want to ask each sonographer school prior to making a decision.
Are the Sonogram Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of ultrasound technician colleges have earned some type of accreditation, whether regional or national. However, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly respected accrediting agencies in the field of sonography is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS). Programs obtaining accreditation from the JRC-DMS have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and educational materials. If the college is online it can also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which targets distance or online education. All accrediting organizations should be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Besides ensuring a premium education, accreditation will also assist in getting financial aid and student loans, which are many times not offered for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And a number of Downingtown PA health facilities will only hire graduates of an accredited school for entry-level positions.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask if the ultrasound technician colleges you are evaluating have partnerships with Downingtown PA clinics or hospitals for internship programs. Not only are internships an excellent way to obtain hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are also a way to satisfy the clinical training requirement for most programs. As a supplemental benefit, they can help graduates and students develop professional relationships in the Downingtown healthcare community and assist with job placement.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will most likely want to hit the ground running after graduating, but finding that initial job in a new profession can be difficult without assistance. Find out if the ultrasound tech schools you are considering have job assistance programs and what their placement rates are. Rapid and high placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with Pennsylvania healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their students are well regarded and sought after.
Where is the Program Located? For many students, the school they choose will need to be within driving distance of their Downingtown PA home. Those who have opted to attend classes online naturally will not have to concern themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of area internships will be of importance. One thing to bear in mind is that if you choose to enroll in a program that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges typically charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges frequently charge a higher tuition to those students that live outside of their districts.
What are the Class Sizes ? Unless you are the kind of person that prefers to sit way in the back of class or hide in the crowd, you will undoubtedly prefer a smaller class size. Small classes allow for more individual participation and one-on-one instruction. Ask the schools you are looking at what the typical teacher to student ratio is for their classrooms. If practical you may prefer to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to converse with several of the students and instructors to get their opinions regarding the sonogram technician program as well.
Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And finally you must verify that the sonographer school you finally pick can provide the class schedule you need. This is especially essential if you decide to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule evening or weekend classes in the Downingtown PA area, verify that they are offered. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an option and how many courses or credit hours you would need to carry. Also, learn what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss because of work, illness or family emergencies.
Best Ultrasound Technician Schools Downingtown Pennsylvania
Enrolling in the ideal ultrasound technician certificate or degree program is a crucial first step to commencing a gratifying new profession providing diagnostic services to patients. Sonographer schools require that you have a high school diploma or a GED. In addition to meeting academic requirements, you need to be in at least reasonably good physical condition, able to stand for extended durations with the ability to regularly lift weights of fifty pounds or more, as is it often necessary to adjust patients and move heavy equipment. Other desirable skills include technical proficiency, the ability to keep calm when faced with an anxious or angry patient and the ability to converse clearly and compassionately. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Best Ultrasound Technician Schools and wanting more information on What Colleges Offer Ultrasound Technician. However, as we have discussed in this post, there are a number of questions that you need to ask each college you are looking at. This is true whether you select an online program or drive to the school campus to attend classes. And by asking the appropriate questions so that you can compare each program, you can narrow down your choices until you are left with the ideal program for your education. And with the right training, discipline and motivation to succeed, you can realize your objective to practice as an ultrasound tech in Downingtown PA.
More Ultrasound Locations in Pennsylvania
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Downingtown is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 33 miles (53 km) west of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 7,891. Downingtown was settled by English and European colonists in the early 18th century and has a number of historic buildings and structures.
The town was originally named Milltown due to its number of mills along the East Branch Brandywine Creek, the first of which was founded by Daniel Butter. The Butter family also had paper mills in the area, and Frederick Bicking from Winterburg, Germany, was the patriarch of the Bicking paper families. Around the time of the American Revolution, Milltown became more commonly known as Downingtown after the prominent businessman Thomas Downing,[3] a Quaker immigrant in 1717 from Bradninch, Devon, England, who owned a number of those mills. The town was officially named Downingtown in 1812.
The town is located along the Lincoln Highway (now part of U.S. Route 30) which runs from the East Coast to the West Coast. It was an early westward road in the wagon days as the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike. The Lincoln Highway was the first paved road to cross the nation from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Construction of the Pennsylvania Turnpike started in the early 1940s and was completed in the early 1950s; it runs north of US 30, bypassing Downingtown.
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